Article: Cam Phaser Issue Explained (2024)

(I've seen several issues with the Cam Phaser and thought people might find this article interesting.)

At the heart of the 3.5L Ecoboost engine’s performance lies the cam phaser – a precision-engineered component designed to optimize the engine’s valve timing. Cam phasers are a type of variable valve timing (VVT) mechanism, a technology that has revolutionized the efficiency and power output of modern engines.

Cam phasers work in conjunction with the camshaft, which controls the opening and closing of the engine’s intake and exhaust valves. By adjusting the position of the camshaft in relation to the crankshaft, cam phasers can alter the valve timing to suit different driving conditions. This dynamic timing adjustment ensures optimal air-fuel mixture combustion, leading to enhanced power, improved fuel economy, and reduced emissions.

https://newparts.com/articles/ford-3-5l-ecoboost-series-cam-phaser-issues-explained/

So does this continue to be a possible future problem with brand new engines? Or is the root cause considered to be fixed?

Thanks,

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

As per several posts on here, it is an ongoing problem. I think the most important thing is to be able to recognize when you have this issue.

From what i read, it''s a rattle when first cold started, that goes away fairly quickly.

sikedsyko said:

Pretty wild that Ford still has issues with cam phasers. Their system works very similar to BMW VANOS that's been around for 30 years now. BMW has had it sorted for 20+ years now.

Click to expand...

You are right, and I agree, BMW does seem to have it sorted today. Not sure why ford can't figure this out.

It's function is the same, but how the function is performed is very different. BMW uses a helical gear to advance or retard the cam timing. The helical gear is moved by a plunger that is controlled by oil pressure, but the point is: vanos does not require a locking pin to keep the variable timing components from slapping around at startup.

BMW VANOS did have a nasty habit in the 2000s of snapping the bolts and in-turn grenading the engine. I had and e46 M3 for awhile and changed the bolts as a precaution. When those bolts snapped, the pistons and valves would crash.

Silver lining: when the ford phasers fail, the pistons don't meet the valves

ivotuk said:

(I've seen several issues with the Cam Phaser and thought people might find this article interesting.)

At the heart of the 3.5L Ecoboost engine’s performance lies the cam phaser – a precision-engineered component designed to optimize the engine’s valve timing. Cam phasers are a type of variable valve timing (VVT) mechanism, a technology that has revolutionized the efficiency and power output of modern engines.

Cam phasers work in conjunction with the camshaft, which controls the opening and closing of the engine’s intake and exhaust valves. By adjusting the position of the camshaft in relation to the crankshaft, cam phasers can alter the valve timing to suit different driving conditions. This dynamic timing adjustment ensures optimal air-fuel mixture combustion, leading to enhanced power, improved fuel economy, and reduced emissions.

https://newparts.com/articles/ford-3-5l-ecoboost-series-cam-phaser-issues-explained/

Click to expand...

Does this effect the 2.3L?